The South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), is one of 14 local organizations that have been created in Ontario to plan, coordinate and fund local health services, including hospitals, community care access centres (CCACs), long-term care homes, community health centres (CHCs), community support service agencies, and mental health and addictions agencies. The office of the South West LHIN is located in London, Ontario.

The purpose of this research is to describe the health status and health resources for women and children who are homeless in a Midwestern rural community. A group of 31 rural homeless women in a shelter participated in the study by answering questions on the Rural Homeless Interview developed by the investigators. The findings revealed higher than expected rates of illness, accidents, and adverse life events, with the incidence of substance abuse and mental illness being comparable to data from other homeless populations.

University of Melbourne, and Deborah Hierlihy, MA, Oriole Research and Design Inc., [email protected]

Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank the other members of the research team, Dr. Stephen Hwang (St. Michael's Hospital Inner City Health Research Unit) and Alison Hamilton (Family Services of Haliburton County).

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